Dr. David J. Lewis, DC

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) sufferers frequently report a cluster of symptoms, but almost all have one symptom in common – numbness, usually in digits 2-4 on palm-side of the hand. CTS is usually attributed to an over-use type of injury such as repetitive work including (but not limited to): typing, assembly work, packaging jobs, machine operators, and many more. Last month, we discussed CTS “Facts” and learned many important points about CTS. This month’s focus centers around the common question, “….where is this numbness coming from?”

To answer this, let’s review the anatomy: The carpal tunnel is made up of 8 small “carpal bones” that form an arch or tunnel, and the base of the tunnel is formed from the transverse carpal ligament. There are nine tendons that attach muscles in the forearm to each finger and work when we grip or form a fist with our hand. Wiggle your fingers and look at your wrist and forearm – do you see all the activity or movement going on?

The tendons travel through sheaths which help lubricate the sliding tendons. When we move our fingers fast (such as typing, playing piano, performing assembly work, etc.), friction and heat builds up, resulting in swelling. If adequate rest does not occur, the increased pressure from the swollen tendons end up squeezing all the contents within the tunnel, which includes the median nerve. It’s the median nerve pinch that results in the numbness, tingling, and/or pain into the index, third and forth fingers.

There are other conditions that can either complicate or cause CTS. These include: hypothyroid disease (due to myxedema), diabetes (due to neuropathy), inflammatory arthritis (of which there are several kinds – rheumatoid is the most common), and pinching of the nerve either in the neck, shoulder, elbow or forearm (called double or multiple crush syndrome).

The reason chiropractic helps so much is that we can alleviate the pressure on the nerve from the neck down to the wrist and restore nerve function. This alleviates the multiple sleep interruptions, weakness in the grip that is so common, as well as helping to restore the nerve’s function. Many studies support the success of chiropractic and CTS – try it first as surgery should be the last resort.

We realize you have a choice in who you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.

How many times have you heard, “I have a pinched nerve in my neck and have to have surgery.” Though there certainly are cases where surgical intervention is required, surgery should ONLY be considered after ALL non-surgical treatment approaches have been tried first (and failed). It is alarming how many cases of cervical radiculopathy (i.e., “pinched nerve”) end up being surgically treated with NO trial of non-surgical care. Hence, the focus of this month’s article will look at research (“MEDICAL EVIDENCE”) that clearly states neck surgery DOES NOT improve the long term outcomes of patients with chronic neck pain.

Chronic neck pain (CNP) is, by definition, neck pain that has been present for a minimum of three months. This category of neck pain is very well represented, as many neck pain sufferers have had neck pain, “…for years” or, at least longer than three months. Depending on the intensity of pain and it’s effect on daily function, many patients with CNP often ask their primary care provider, “…is there anything surgically that can be done?” The desire for a “quick fix” is often the focus of those suffering with neck pain. Unfortunately, according to recent studies, there may not be a “quick fix” or, at least surgery is NOT the answer. The December 2012 issue of The European Spine Journal reports that spine surgery did NOT improve outcomes for patients with CNP. Moreover, they pointed to other studies that showed some VERY STRONG REASONS NOT to have spine surgery unless everything else has failed. One of the reasons was a higher hospital readmission rate after spine surgery. Another reported that most studies on surgical vs. conservative [non-surgical] care showed a high risk of bias, suggesting the research on surgical intervention was biased in the research approach used. They further reported, “The benefit of surgery over conservative care is not clearly demonstrated.” It is important to point out that the research analyzed studies that included patients with and without radiculopathy (radiating arm pain from a pinched nerve), and myelopathy (those with pinching of the spinal cord creating pain, numbness, weakness in the legs, and/or bowel / bladder dysfunction).

In February of 2008, the Neck Pain Task Force published overwhelming evidence that research supports the use of cervical spinal manipulation in the treatment of both acute and chronic neck pain with or without radiculopathy. Bronfort published similar findings in 2010 in a large UK based study that looked at the published evidence supporting different types of treatment for various conditions. They found cervical spine manipulation was effective for neck pain of ANY duration (acute or chronic). Chiropractic utilizes manipulation, manual traction, mobilization, muscle release techniques, home cervical traction, exercise, as well as a multitude of physiotherapy modalities when managing patients with CNP. Given the overwhelming research evidence that surgical intervention for CNP is NOT any better than non-surgical care, the greater amount of negative side-effects, and the obviously long recovery time post-surgically, chiropractic treatment of anyone suffering from CNP should be tried FIRST.

We realize that you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for neck pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint when it comes to traveling, whether it’s in a car, bus, train or airplane. Traveling is hard on our joints, muscles and nerves for many reasons. Traveling requires us to do something our bodies are not used to, such as prolonged sitting in a cramped area. Remember the last time you had the middle seat on a plane? Also, unless you have a very unique exercise routine, injuries commonly occur from hoisting carry-ons into overhead bins or yanking them off the baggage claim belt. This month’s article will offer tips about traveling and things you can do to minimize risk of irritating or creating LBP. Bon voyage!

If no one comes to help, and you end up having to complete this often unpleasant task yourself, think before you lift. Break the lift into small movements or actions. For example, when placing your carry-on into an overhead bin, keep the luggage close to your body since the farther away from your body you hold the bag, the heavier it becomes to your lower back (up to 10x the load!). Try this method: 1st lift the bag to the arm of the seat that lies below the overhead bin; next lift it to the top of the seat back top; and then (the hard part), squat down, arch your low back, grip the bag, and in a smooth continuous movement, raise the bag up and onto the edge of the overhead bin. At that point, wiggle it in the rest of the way. Another important point about lifting is to try to avoid twisting, ESPECIALLY if combined with bending. A bend / twist combination is often the cause of a low back injury. Try to pivot your feet to move your body to avoid your back from twisting.
There are MANY other traveling tips that we have not yet discussed. Look forward to next month’s Health Update for LBP for more!

We realize you have a choice in who you choose to provide your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

A muscle spasm occurs when involuntary movement of a muscle leads to that muscle tightening and shortening. This action creates discomfort for the individual that often subsides after a heightened period of intense pain during the duration of the spasm.

Causes of Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms, frequent or infrequent, can be caused by many factors. Some causes include the following: muscle injuries, strokes, neurological issues, nervous system problems and other muscle disorders.

Also contributing to the occurrence and frequency of muscle spasms, may be an electrolyte imbalance such as low salt and potassium levels in the body. Several factors contribute to this including dehydration or maintaining a diet that fails to provide the needed electrolytes.

How Muscle Spasms Cause Back Pain

Back pain may be directly connected to muscle spasms because of a spinal condition caused by one of the above factors. An individual with a spinal condition frequently experiences discomfort and pain in other parts of the body.

Chiropractic Care May Cure Muscle Spasms

A chiropractor identifies spinal conditions that contribute to nerve and muscle problems interfering with optimal functioning of the muscles of the skeleton. Once identified, a chiropractor performs a spinal adjustment to relieve stress from the following areas of the body which may be contributing to muscle spasms:

Muscles

Tendons

Ligaments

Other soft tissue

Bones

Joints

After a spinal adjustment, individuals experience the benefits through the following:

Improved posture

Better balance

Less stress on the joints of the body

Easier movements and improved range of motion

Elimination of muscle discomfort

Improved nervous system functioning

Improved circulation

Decrease in frequency and intensity of muscle spasms

Chiropractic Care Prevents Future Back Pain

With a spinal adjustment, not only are the above benefits immediately felt, an individual can also expect an improvement in his or her overall feelings of wellness. Ongoing visits with a chiropractor will ensure that proper spine alignment is maintained and that the body is free of the stress-related factors impacting the spine that cause muscle discomfort and other body pains.

Maintain Proper Spine Alignment and Good Health

Visit the chiropractic office of Dr. David Lewis in San Mateo to treat muscle spasms associated with spinal conditions. The benefits of proper treatment extend far beyond physical comfort; individuals experience an increased sense of wellbeing and overall, good health.

If you missed part 1 on what a hip flexor injury is, you can view it right here.

Calling all dogs to experience the benefits of chiropractic care!

Dr. David Lewis is pleased to introduce a new and exciting method of canine chiropractic healthcare: Koren Specific Technique (KST).
 
“I’ve been using KST on my human patients with really interesting results.  I found out that…….
…………….KST works on dogs too.”
 

Koren Specific Technique (KST) is a specific, gentle adjusting protocol. It is ideal for dogs of all ages.
“I am getting fantastic results working with our panting pets using this very light, very safe and most importantly, very effective technique.”
 
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This technique works very well for dogs with,

* Fatigue and lack of energy
*Arthritis and lameness
*Weak legs
*Spine problems
*Bowel and bladder control
*Anxiety
* All types of neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve, muscle and bone) problems

CALL the OFFICE….650-212-3111 and schedule an appointment for your pet.

HOUSE CALLS!!!! Dr. Lewis will make house calls for dogs in the San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, and Foster City areas.
 
Feel free to forward this e-mail to a dog who can really use some chiropractic care.

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Each person that has pain has one hope: to get out of pain fast. In my office, we provide not only the fastest possible pain relief without the use of drugs, but treatment focused the prevention of pains’ return. In addition to that, I coach and strategize with my patients in the mysteries of Wellness Care. I’ll explain more about that later.
Lets’ say you were cleaning the leaves out of the gutters and you fell off your ladder yesterday. You’re hurting today. That’s an acute condition. Lets’ say that, ten years ago you were cleaning the leaves out of the gutter when you fell off your ladder. Your back bothered you on and off ever since but now your back really hurts. That’s a chronic condition.
Acute spinal problems always have swelling, often have stretched or torn ligaments, usually there’s muscle spasm that get worse with movement (try moving around with a back spasm) and, on occasion, has nerve pressure or a pinched nerve. If an acute spinal problem just started, then it should get better with a short course of chiropractic care. The goal for the acute problem is pain relief and nothing works as well as chiropractic care.

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Chiropractic care is essential to healthy living and can benefit a vast range of people.

Those that suffer from lower back pain, neck problems, headaches, severe disc degeneration, scoliosis, or have suffered a sports injury could benefit from chiropractic care. Everyone can benefit to some degree from receiving chiropractic care.Children should be checked on a regular basis to ensure no unnecessary stress has been placed on their spine through contact sports, falling, or typical childhood play.Pregnant women benefit from regular checkups throughout their pregnancy to ensure their pelvis has not suffered any torsion, which can put undue stress on the fetus and possibly lead to malpositioning. They should also be checked after giving birth, which can be very traumatic on a woman’s body. Traveling through the birth canal and simply being born can be traumatic to a newborn’s little spine as well, so it is important to have them checked as soon after they are born as possible. After infants learn to walk well, they should be checked again because they endure a lot of falls onto the base of their spine while learning to walk, which can cause vertebrae to become misaligned. Blue collar workers and athletes both put unnecessary stress on their spines on a regular basis, due to physically demanding work and workouts. This can lead to severe neck and back issues by putting undue stress on the spine. A quick checkup and any necessary treatment to immediately remedy any signs of problems will help prolong the worker’s ability to perform satisfactorily at their job and keep them feeling great while doing so, as well as help extend the athletic career of the athlete. (more…)